Warm tributes to Mr Theatre Royal panto Chris Harris

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Actor and director Chris Harris has been described as an inspiration by his pantomime comedy partner.Mr Harris, who has directed and played the role of dame in the pantos since 2001, died this week at the age of 71Jon Monie worked with him for years, playing the comic character to his dame.He spoke of his shock, and called Chris his hero.Mr Monie said: "Chris was an inspiration to me and countless others lucky enough to work with a true master of his craft. "Not only a genius onstage but an absolute gentlemen offstage. "He was kind, warm, nurturing and, of course, very very funny. "I've honestly never met anyone so generous. "To perform alongside him was nothing less than an honour and I am grateful for every joy-filled moment I spent in his extraordinary company. "He taught me so much and Christmas will never feel the same again. "I will miss him immeasurably. He was my hero."The Theatre Royal today led the tributes to the lynchpin of its pantomimes for more than a decade, actor and director Chris Harris.Mr Harris, who has directed and played the role of dame in the pantos since 2001, died this week at the age of 71.The Bridgwater-born actor who lived at Portishead had also been a regular at pantos in Bristol, where he had co-written the Christmas extravaganzas for the Bristol Old Vic Company.In a statement, the Theatre Royal said Mr Harris had been a friend of the venue for many years.“Our thoughts are with Chris’s wife and family at this very difficult time.“In his 13 consecutive years as director and performer in the Theatre Royal’s much-loved traditional pantomimes, and in his acclaimed one-man shows, Chris gave joy to audiences far and wide.“Chris had a wonderful personality, a great sense of humour and a heart of gold. He never failed to make time for fellow performers who needed support or advice, audience members who wanted to meet him, and theatre staff who popped by to see him for a chat. “As well as being a consummate professional, Chris was an exceptionally kind and generous man who will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by staff and audiences at the Theatre Royal.”Among the fellow actors paying tribute was former Brookside and Holby City star Mark Moraghan.

So sad to hear my pal Chris Harris has passed away.He will be sadly missed RIP Pal. Thoughts with his family x pic.twitter.com/VOgP1ufa17

Next Stage Theatre Company and The Mission Theatre artistic director Ann Garner said: "There’s been no one quite like him. "He has supported Next Stage for all of its 20 years of existence, running workshops for our Youth Theatre and always sending notes and emails of encouragement and praise."The day feels duller, one can only hope that not only is there a particularly bright star in the skies tonight, but that in heaven there is an ever-lasting, capacity audience to watch a true clown waving his hankies and jingling his bells as he jigs on forever."Theatre Bath founder Luke John Emmett said: "Chris was one of those rare and special human beings. "The character that he played onstage was very much the same gentle genuine man you met offstage. "He was not only a master of his craft but an amazing and loving person as well. "He went out of his way to say good morning to every single member of the company each day - always stopping for a chat and making sure everyone in his panto family was ok. "And that's exactly what it was a panto family with Chris as the father (or perhaps mother?). "He always remembered everyone's names and was always willing to give up his time freely to share his wealth of knowledge. "He leaves behind a legacy as one of the best dames in the industry and will be missed by everyone who had the privilege to work with him."Chris touched the lives of so many people and he'll never be forgotten."Freelance actor Lucy Sheen said: "It was with great sadness that I learnt that Chris Harris had died. "A wonderful man, a great performer and probably one the the best Pantomime Dames this country has ever had."He will be sorely missed."Mr Harris trained at the Rose Bruford College in Kent, the Jacques Lecoq mime and Theatre School in Paris, Ladislav Fialka’s Pantomime Company in Prague, and also had a stint at the Moscow State Circus School. He took one-man shows around the world but also performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Bristol Old Vic, the New Shakespeare Company, and in rep at Lincoln, Salisbury and Worthing. He also toured the USA with actors such as Michael York and Douglas Fairbanks Junior and musicians Cleo Laine and Johnny Dankworth to raise money for the rebuilding of London’s Globe Theatre.Mr Harris made a number of TV appearances in dramas and documentaries, and presented the children’s TV series Hey Look That’s Me in the 70s and 80s.An accomplished after-dinner speaker, he was also a presenter on BBC Radio Bristol and wrote Chris Harris’ Alphabet of Pantomime and a biography of the Shakespearean actor Will Kemp.Mr Harris toured the USA for Sam Wanamaker raising money with others for The Globe Theatre on London’s South Bank. He also toured with members of Welsh National Opera with shows based on the works of Banchieri, Monteverdi, Charles Ives, and Thomas Weelkes. Mr Harris presented his own programme The Chris Harris Road Show for BBC Radio Bristol and performed numerous BBC radio plays including The Birds, Boy Fathers and Harvey Angel.In the Chronicle’s My Bath feature two years ago, he spoke of his love of the city.Asked what his favourite place was, he said: “I’ve always loved the Sawclose area around the Theatre Royal. If I’m there it usually means I’m working and that’s a good feeling in this beautiful city. At Christmas, I particularly like Milsom Street, Stall Street and the area close to Bath Abbey with the many entertainers and carol singers.”His last panto was Peter Pan, in which he had to invent a dame character in the firm of a Norland nanny.He said: “Traditionally the dame is the engine that drives the pantomime and families who come to the shows expect to see her.”

Sad news. We have just heard the Chris Harris star of the Theatre Royal pantos has passed away. He will be missed pic.twitter.com/CXD26NsRxH

5 comments

My mother, daughter and I went to the pantomime every year I can't face going knowing that Chris won't be there. Peter Pan was amazing each year the productions got brighter and more magical. Soooo sadx

'By popular demand,' but sadly no more. This is truly tragic news. Chris Harris was the Bath panto and an absolute delight to watch. Taken far too young but what joy he has brought over the years. A lasting legacy. Rest in peace.